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Entry and exit

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Australian Government cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

Visas

You can get a tourist visa on arrival for stays of up to one month, provided you have an onward ticket. Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) can change at short notice. Contact a
High Commission of Tonga for up-to-date information.

Passport

Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after the date you intend to return to Australia. If you want to stay longer or work you will need to apply for a visa. If you arrive in Tonga with less than six months remaining on your passport, you may be fined on arrival, and have your passport impounded by Tongan border control officers until the fine is paid.

Your passport is a valuable document and attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. Always keep it in a safe place.

Be aware of attempts to get access to your passport by deception. If you are forced to hand over your passport, contact the
Australian High Commission for advice.

If your passport is lost or stolen, you must notify the Australian Government as soon as possible.

Money

The local currency is the Tongan pa'anga (TOP). Australian dollars can be exchanged for TOP at local banks, which include ANZ and Bank South Pacific.

ATMs are easily accessible on the main island of Tongatapu. More remote island groups have limited services. ATMs accept many but not all Australian cards. Ask your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas before you travel.

Credit card fraud and the use of card skimming devices occurs. Take care not to expose your PIN when using ATMs. Monitor your transaction statements.

Safety and security

Crime

Foreigners have been victims of violent assaults and robberies, including sexual assaults. House break-ins and property theft also occur. Electronic equipment such as iPads, mobile phones and other portable devices are particularly attractive to thieves. Security risks increase at night.

Keep doors, windows and gates locked.

Keep your vehicle locked at all times, including when moving.

Carry only what you need. Leave other valuables, including your passport, in a secure location.

Avoid carrying bags that are easy to snatch.

Avoid going out alone at night or to isolated locations, including beaches.

Civil unrest and political tension

Civil unrest is rare, but any large public gathering could turn violent.

Avoid protests, demonstrations and other large public gatherings.

Keep an eye on the news for advice of possible unrest. Avoid affected areas.

Swimming and beach safety

Take care when swimming on beaches, particularly those with outlying coral reefs. Strong rips can occur at breaks in the reef and pose a significant risk to swimmers and surfers. Tourists have drowned in these conditions. Seek advice from locals on danger spots before swimming.

Road travel

Driving can be dangerous, particularly at night. Street lighting and road quality are often poor and there are many pedestrians and free-roaming animals on the roads. Speeding, alcohol and drug-driving account for many road fatalities.

Some road rules differ from those in Australia.

You must give way to vehicles that are turning right.

The speed limit in most locations is 50 km/h.

The blood/alcohol limit for driving is 0.015%. If you have any alcohol on your breath when you are driving, you'll need to go to a police station for further testing of your blood alcohol level. See
Laws

You're not legally required to wear a seatbelt, but if you have an accident while not wearing a seatbelt, your travel insurance may not cover you.

Driver's licence

Australian driver's licences and international driving permits aren't recognised. You'll need to get a temporary Tongan driver's licence in order to hire a scooter or car.

Motorcycles

By law, you must wear a helmet when riding motorbikes and motor scooters. Helmets are not always provided by hire companies. If you plan to hire a motorcycle, first check that your travel insurance will cover you.

Taxis

Only use registered taxis and authorised limousines, which can be arranged through your hotel.

Public transport

Limited bus services operate on Tongatapu. Bus services end at 5 pm and don't run on Sundays. Take care of your belongings as petty crime occurs.

Air travel

Certification standards for domestic aircraft safety and maintenance practices may not align with international civil aviation standards. Take certification issues into account when booking.

Tonga's domestic airline, Real Tonga, operates scheduled flights to all island groups. Limited domestic services can result in overbooking, overloading and late changes to scheduling.

The Australian Government doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths. See the
Aviation Safety Network website for information on aviation safety.

Laws

You're subject to local laws and penalties, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling, especially for an extended stay.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our
Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Other laws

Sabbath observance laws strictly limit Sunday activities. Business transactions are prohibited. Participation in activities, such as exercise, running, swimming, snorkelling and fishing are illegal on Sundays, unless at a resort.

The blood/alcohol limit for driving in Tonga is 0.015. There are two breath tests for blood/alcohol readings in Tonga. The first is a road-side test to determine whether you have alcohol in your system. If you test positive for alcohol you will be taken to a police station for a second test. If your reading is between 0.015% and 0.025% you will be given an on-the-spot fine. If your reading is above 0.025%, you will be charged and will have to appear in court. If the offence occurs outside of normal business hours, you'll likely be held in police cells until the charge can be laid.

Sodomy is a criminal offence and punishable with a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.
More information: LGBTI travellers

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws apply overseas. If you commit these offences, you may be prosecuted in Australia. Laws include those relating to:

Local customs

There are strict standards of dress and behaviour. Take care not to offend. Women should wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees. Bikinis can be worn at resorts, but swimwear should be more modest if you're swimming at public beaches away from resorts. Topless bathing is not accepted. Men are not permitted to go shirtless in public areas, unless at a resort.

Tonga is officially a Christian country with a high level of religious observance. Sabbath observance laws strictly limit Sunday activities. See
Laws

Health

Travel insurance

Take out comprehensive travel insurance before you depart to cover overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation.

Regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for your medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs. This can be very expensive and cost you many thousands of dollars upfront.

Confirm:

what circumstances and activities are and are not covered under your policy

Medication

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

Before you leave Australia, check if your medication is legal in each country you're travelling to and find out if any quantity restrictions or certification requirements apply. Consult your doctor about alternatives well in advance of travel.

Take legal prescription medicine with you so you remain in good health. Keep your medicines in their original packaging. Always carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor stating what the medicine is, how much you'll take and that it's for personal use only.

Health risks

Mosquito-borne illnesses

Outbreaks of dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika virus occur, particularly during the wet season. The mosquitos that carry these diseases are particularly active during the day.

The Australian Department of Health advises pregnant women to discuss any travel plans with their doctor and defer non-essential travel to areas affected by Zika virus. The Department of Health's
Zika virus bulletin includes other advice for male and female travellers on how to minimise risks. There is no vaccination available.

Other infectious diseases

Water-borne, food-borne, and other infectious diseases (including tuberculosis, typhoid and filariasis) are common, with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time.

Practise good personal hygiene.

Boil drinking water or drink bottled water with intact seals.

Avoid ice cubes.

Avoid uncooked and undercooked food.

Seek medical attention if you suspect poisoning, if you have a fever or suffer from diarrhoea.

Fish poisoning

Eating reef fish can result in ciguatera poisoning. Ciguatera is a naturally occurring seafood toxin. Scombroid (histamine fish poisoning) and toxins in shellfish are also risks. Seek urgent medical attention if you suspect poisoning.

Medical facilities

If you become ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated to Australia or New Zealand, even for minor medical issues. Medical evacuations are very expensive. Airports don't operate on Sundays and evacuation on a Sunday is very difficult to arrange.

There are no decompression chambers in Tonga. Serious cases of decompression sickness are evacuated to the nearest treatment centre in New Zealand. Registered dive companies carry basic treatment equipment to meet PADI standards.

contact friends and family in Australia with regular updates about your welfare.

If you're due to arrive after a natural disaster or during cyclone season, contact your tour operator to check whether services at your planned destination are affected.

Tropical storms and cyclones

Tropical storms and cyclones can occur throughout the year but most are during cyclone season, from November to April. Storms and cyclones can cause flooding, gale force winds and disruptions to services. The direction and strength of tropical cyclones can change with little warning.

If there is a cyclone or severe tropical storm, you may not be able to leave the area: flights could be delayed, suspended or may fill quickly. Access to seaports could also be affected. Adequate shelter from a severe cyclone may not be available.

Earthquakes

Tonga experiences earthquakes. What you need to do to protect yourself in an earthquake depends on where you are at the time. Read
Earthquakes and ask your accommodation provider about local procedures and advice for if there is an earthquake.

Move immediately to higher ground or your nearest tsunami evacuation point if advised by local or regional authorities or if you experience any of the following:

feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up, or a weak rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more

see a sudden rise or fall in sea level

hear loud and unusual noises from the sea

Don't wait for official warnings. Once on higher ground, monitor Radio 1 at frequency 1017 AM, other local media, and the
Tonga Meteorological Service website.

Where to get help

Depending on what you need, your best option may be to contact your family, friends, airline, travel agent, tour operator, employer or travel insurance provider. Your travel insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Emergency phone numbers

Fire: 911

Medical emergencies: 911 or go direct to the hospital

Criminal issues: 911 or contact police at the nearest police station

Always get a police report when reporting a crime.

Tourism services and products

For complaints relating to tourism services or products, contact your service provider directly.

Australian Government

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas. For consular assistance, contact the Australian High Commission in Nuku'alofa.